My first trip to Europe felt like a dream I want to relive. In 10 days I visited 4 countries and 11 cities by river cruise, and I’m already eager to return.
Before this trip I wasn’t particularly drawn to cruises. I worried about being rushed through destinations, feeling seasick, and having limited time in each city. Everything changed when I had the chance to sail with Amadeus River Cruises on an itinerary from Amsterdam to Basel, Switzerland. Visiting Europe had been a goal for me for a couple of years, so the timing was perfect.
Bridger (my boyfriend) and I flew direct from Seattle to Amsterdam on Delta, arriving a day before embarkation for our 8-day, 7-night cruise. The overnight flight went smoothly — I slept most of the way and Bridger managed to watch a few movies. Since neither of us had been to Amsterdam before, we used the extra day to explore the city.
Amsterdam instantly became one of my favorite cities. I had pictured it as a party town, but the canals, history, museums, shops and friendly people showed me a different side. We stayed in an Airbnb near the Rijksmuseum and the canal district, which put most attractions within walking distance.
Day 1:
Our first meal was at Bakers & Roasters, where I ordered avocado toast with fried eggs and bacon — a perfect post-flight choice. We explored the city, posed by the I Amsterdam sign, and walked past the Anne Frank House. Unfortunately we didn’t secure tickets in time, so we decided to save the museum for a future visit.
Day 2:
We woke to light rain and headed to CT Coffee + Coconuts for breakfast — a bright, multi-level café with a great menu. We both had the CT Full Breakfast that included avocado toast, coconut yogurt with muesli, fresh fruit and a gluten-free pancake. After breakfast we visited the Van Gogh Museum, which I highly recommend, and then hunted for matcha. Lavinia Good Food delivered one of the best matcha lattés I’ve had.
Later that morning we boarded the Amadeus Silver II, our river ship for the journey down the Rhine to Basel. The ship felt more like a boutique hotel: about 160 passengers, three decks plus a sun deck, a restaurant, bar, small fitness room, lounge and outdoor games. Cabins were comfortable with either small balconies or large windows. I was impressed by the service and food quality.
That afternoon our group enjoyed a guided canal tour of Amsterdam with a cheese tasting. I’m lactose-intolerant, but the goat cheeses were phenomenal and the canal cruise was a highlight. After dinner we sampled Dutch apple pie at Café Winkel 43 and walked briefly through the Red-Light District to see what it was like.
Day 3:
Breakfast aboard was generous, and though I worried about staying healthy, the kitchen staff were incredibly accommodating of my dietary needs. They modified dishes for my lactose intolerance and consistently offered suitable alternatives. After more sightseeing, museums and another matcha stop, we rejoined the ship in Hoorn and sailed toward Cologne.
Amsterdam: Activity Recommendations
- Buy Anne Frank House tickets well in advance
- Prebook the Van Gogh Museum time slot
- Rent a bike and ride through Vondelpark
- Take photos at the I Amsterdam sign in the museum district
- Take a canal cruise
- Explore De Negen Straatjes (The Nine Streets) for shopping
Amsterdam: Food Recommendations
- Bakers & Roasters
- CT Coffee + Coconuts
- Lavinia Good Food (matcha latté)
- Winkel 43 (Dutch apple pie)
- Food Hallen
- The Avocado Show
- Omelegg
- MarQt (healthy grocery store)
- Dignita
- SLA
- Hummus bistro or Sir Hummus
- Little Collins
- Stroopwafel carts
- De Kas (farm-to-table)
- Pluk, Back to Black (coffee)
Day 4:
I tried to exercise on the sun deck but quickly learned the ship’s fitness routine required flexibility. We reached Cologne and had a few hours to explore. The Cologne Cathedral’s Gothic architecture was breathtaking; learning its windows survived World War II by being removed and stored was particularly moving. We enjoyed a healthy café lunch at Hommage before a special showcase dinner on the ship, where the chef prepared dairy-free, elegant courses just for me — a memorable meal with the cathedral in the distance as the sun set.
Day 5:
One of the best parts of the cruise was waking up in a new place without unpacking. Housekeeping kept cabins tidy and left daily itineraries and bottled water. The weather was mostly sunny and warm. We stayed active with shuffleboard, sun-deck workouts and a group circuit session while sailing down the Rhine. We visited Cochem, toured a castle, and tasted local Riesling — learning about centuries-old winemaking traditions was fascinating. When a local restaurant couldn’t accommodate my dietary needs, the ship remained the safest choice for dinner.
Day 6:
Koblenz and Rüdesheim offered beautiful scenery. A morning CrossFit class in Koblenz was a fun, challenging experience and great way to connect with locals. The stretch of the Rhine between Koblenz and Rüdesheim—often called “Castle Country”—was one of the most picturesque parts of the trip, with steep vineyards and dozens of castles. Rüdesheim’s cobblestone alleys and small wine bars were charming even during a short visit.
Day 7:
We docked in Mannheim and took a short drive to Heidelberg. The city’s red-roofed skyline and large castle impressed me, as did Your Good Love café — an excellent spot for juice, matcha and healthy bowls. We rode the funicular to Heidelberg Castle and saw the massive historic wine barrel on site. The ship later picked us up in Speyer and hosted a playful pirate-themed dinner.
Day 8:
Strasbourg quickly became a favorite — it felt like a picture-perfect French town with a lively market, a beautiful cathedral, and bakeries on every corner. I tried my first macaron and enjoyed a soft pretzel from a market stall. After four hours of exploring we returned to the ship and continued toward Basel, passing through several locks (the Amadeus Silver II went through 18 locks over the cruise).
Day 9:
We arrived in Basel and took a train north to Düsseldorf to meet friends. Basel was less enjoyable for us due to a national holiday, limited dining options that fit my dietary needs, and higher prices. The first-class train ride to Düsseldorf was comfortable and worth the splurge.
Day 10:
On our final morning we navigated public transit to Düsseldorf Airport with our luggage and began the long trip home. The return journey was tiring, but I made sure to move frequently to manage restless legs and stay comfortable on the long flights.
Overall, the cruise was a trip of a lifetime. I experienced new cultures, made lasting friendships, and shared the journey with the love of my life. My favorite stops included Amsterdam, Düsseldorf, Cologne, Koblenz, Heidelberg and Strasbourg — but every day offered something special.
How I stayed healthy on the trip
I value routine and exercise, so I accepted that my exact daily habits would shift while traveling. I prioritized balanced breakfasts high in healthy fats, fiber and protein, and I packed a few essentials: Primal Kitchen Collagen Bars, Vital Proteins Collagen packets, RXBARs, Bulletproof Brain Octane, Brazil nuts, roasted sunflower seeds and dark chocolate. The ship’s chef was accommodating with dairy-free options and plenty of vegetable-forward choices. I worked out on the ship’s gym several days, jogged on the sun deck (briefly), tried CrossFit in Germany and walked extensively through cities. Moderation and planning helped me enjoy local cuisine without overindulging.
More about Amadeus River Cruises
The Amadeus Silver II felt like a five-star hotel on the water: local cuisine, complimentary local wine and beer with meals, Wi-Fi, bikes on board for shore exploration, and planned excursions. Amadeus is noted for sustainable practices and offers multiple itineraries ranging from 8 to 15 days. While many passengers skew older, this style of travel is also excellent for travelers who want a relaxed, well-planned way to see multiple destinations without changing hotels frequently.
*Feedback Wanted*
I’m excited to have the opportunity to host a river cruise similar to this trip through Amadeus River Cruises in the future. I’d plan menus with the chef, select ports and activities (including workouts), and cater to health-minded travelers. If you’d be interested in traveling with me, please share your interest in the comments — if there’s enough demand I’ll start planning.
If you have any questions or feedback about the trip, please leave a comment below.